Rainair ran a hand down his face and cursed.
“Anyone mind clueing in the human?” I asked.
Rainair sighed. “Any species from a planet that has not reached galactic spaceflight is protected by Imperial Law. Anyone caught trafficking your people would be in breach. It’s serious. The sort of behavior star systems go to war over.”
Kex stiffened beside me, but he sighed and continued. “The fact that I was able to identify your language and upload it to my chip means your people are not new to the known universe. Your people have been taken before.”
I grimaced. “Well, what can we do about my friends? You said one of your wardens had updated about them?”
“Yes,” Kex said and returned to the report. “The escape pod is large and will take an effort to remove from the forest, and your friends are not equipped to walk out of the forest on their own. It stated one was injured, a broken limb. They will need to be carried, so the protectors sent for a larger group to help with the extraction.”
“I don’t understand, why can’t they just send in a hover car and get them out?”
Rainair snorted. “Because his people treat their forest like sacred ground.”
I glanced at Kex, and he sighed. “Monai, the deep forest, is protected. No technology of any kind is allowed within the boundary. If we tried to fly into the zone, we would be arrested. The protectors will need to dismantle the escape pod you came in by hand and carry the pieces out, restoring the balance of the forest. Your people, everything they carried not created by hand will be collected, and brought out.”
“So they are just going to leave the other women out there until they can walk back?” I asked, shocked.
“No, two protectors entered the forest to investigate the crash,” Kex said, glancing at the report. “The lead protector stayed with your friends while the second returned for supplies and more help. He will bring food and other resources to help care for your people until they can be safely escorted out.”
“Can we go to them? Help? They will be terrified, and none of them will be able to understand your people.”
“Yes,” Kex said. “The second protector left immediately yesterday to return with supplies to your friends, but the backup party hasn’t left yet. They are likely gathering resources. We can meet up with them, or go on our own. If we fly here”—he gestured to a spot along the white border far to the left, but not too far below the red dot—“it will be a much closer journey to them.”
“Count me in,” Rainair said.
Kex snorted. “You won’t be able to bring your stories.”
Rainair shrugged. “I guess you’ll just have to entertain me. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Kex sighed. “Fine, we’ll meet you in the morning. I’ll make the preparations and com you the time.”
Rainair stood. “The morning then. I’ll leave you and your mate to get cleaned up and go enjoy your fancy alcohol in my fancy room.”
“See you,” Kex said, and pulled me back onto his lap.
“Nice to meet you!” I called as Rainair exited.
“You as well, my lady,” he said before the door closed behind him.
I snorted. “I’ve never met someone so formal and informal all at once. I could get used to all the ‘my lady’s.’”
Kex leaned forward and picked up a piece of something and brought it to my lips. “You should, as it’s the proper address.”
I moaned, and Kex’s eyes sparked. The food was delicious. Something fatty and salty with a slight crunch. “What do you mean?”
Kex selected something else from the tray and fed it to me. “You inherit your title from me, your mate. I haven’t registered you yet. There will be a ship-load of documents to file, you being a preflight species, but I’ll get my steward on it.”
My brain tried to process his words. “So does that mean you have a title?”
“Yes,” Kex said, and offered me another bite, but I refused it.
“What is it?”
He sighed and picked up a cup. “Currently, it’s Lord Kexanoplus of Langula. Here, try the wine.”
I took the cup from him and set it down. “You’re a lord?”
